Prof Pope, who has been chair of NHS Suffolk and North East Essex ICB since it was established in 2022, takes up the joint role following the retirement of Dame Patricia Hewitt due to ill health.

Meanwhile, Garratt takes up the joint role following the decision of Tracey Bleakley to pursue new opportunities within the NHS.

Pope said: ‘As ever, the challenges and changes in health and social care are not only local but also face the NHS as a whole and our local authority colleagues too.

'There are many talented people working in health and care in Norfolk and Waveney who I look forward to working with as we navigate these interesting waters.'

Garratt added: ‘I look forward to carrying on the really good work being done by the organisation to tackle the issues that matter most to patients, like cutting waiting times and making it easier for people to get the care they need.

‘There are lots of changes being made at the moment to how the NHS is organised, and a priority for Will and I will be to support staff through this.'

Clare Panniker, regional director for NHS England in the East of England, said: ‘They each bring a wealth of experience in running a high-performing ICB in the region with similar challenges to Norfolk and Waveney, which will benefit patient care across the whole region.'